The Mysterious Benedict Society

The Mysterious Benedict Society (2007) by Trenton Lee Stewart is a New York Times best-selling children’s novel, the first in a mystery series that includes two sequels and a prequel. The book was included on reading lists published by notable several organizations, including the Association for Library Service to Children, Books for Youth, and the Texas Library Association.

Plot Summary

Four children, Reynie Muldoon, Sticky Washington, Kate Wetherall, and Constance Contraire, respond to a newspaper advertisement for gifted children seeking special opportunities. They take a series of strange tests and are chosen by Mr. Nicholas Benedict to embark on a dangerous mission to save the world. All of the children have lost their families and are exceptionally resourceful.

As members of the Mysterious Benedict Society, the children learn of a sinister plan by Mr. Ledroptha Curtain, Mr. Benedict’s long-lost twin brother, to control people’s minds through subliminal messages. The children possess a unique ability to resist these messages, which have caused panic throughout the world. Mr. Benedict sends the team to infiltrate the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened (LIVE), where the hidden messages originate, to learn more about Mr. Curtain’s plans and to stop him. Mr. Benedict’s assistants, Number Two, Rhonda Kazembe, and Milligan, train the team. Milligan came to work for Mr. Benedict after losing his memories.

While posing as new students at the Institute, the team learns that class lessons are geared toward memorizing the core of the secret subliminal messages. Students who display the best ability to remember the lessons are promoted to Messengers, who are given highly desirable special privileges. The day-to-day responsibilities of running the Institute are performed by the Executives, an overbearing group of former Messengers. Menial jobs are done by the Helpers, subdued adults who appear miserable and browbeaten.

Reynie and Sticky become Messengers and are introduced to the Whisperer, Mr. Curtain’s device for sending hidden messages. Mr. Curtain must use children as a filter between his own brain and the Whisperer. The boys discover that being linked to the Whisperer gives the Messenger an irresistible feeling of well-being. The Whisperer makes them feel like their greatest fear has been eliminated. They also learn that Mr. Curtain’s plan to transmit stronger messages to convince the world to hand him total authority is almost complete. Mr. Curtain also intends to “brainsweep” those who oppose him, a process that erases people’s memories and their knowledge of who they are. Reynie realizes that this is what happened to Milligan and the Helpers.

The team defeats Mr. Curtain by bringing Constance to the Whisperer, as her unparalleled stubbornness is the only thing that can resist the device. Mr. Benedict’s group arrives on the scene, and they all flee from the Institute, though Mr. Curtain escapes.

The novel ends with the team happily living together. Sticky has been reunited with his parents, Reynie is adopted, Mr. Benedict adopts Constance and, after his memories are restored, Milligan reveals that he is Kate’s father.